Episode 32 - Stern's 'Miracle' Year

PodcastAnalysis updated last monthMay 27, 202458 min listen

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Kineticist’s take

All nine machines produced by Stern in 1980 were successful hits, which the hosts characterize as exceptional for a single manufacturer in one year.
Stern Electronics machines from 1980 are now highly sought after by collectors, with prices skyrocketing due to low original production runs compared to Bally and Williams.
Harry Williams designed the first three games released in 1980: Galaxy (January), Ali (March), and Big Game (March).
Sea Witch was heavily tweaked and later redesigned by George Gomez as The Beatles, making the game significantly easier to play.
Galaxy had production of approximately 3,000 units, making it one of the highest-produced machines on the 1980 list.
Quicksilver was designed by Joe Juice Jr. (JJJ) and only 1,200 units were produced.
The 'green games bad luck' superstition in pinball originated around 1980 or the EM era, stemming from poor sales of well-designed green-colored games.
Stern Electronics was simultaneously manufacturing arcade video games (like X-Game) alongside pinball machines in 1980, which may have diverted production capacity and focus.
Quicksilver's artwork was directly adapted from the cover of Heavy Metal Magazine Issue #3, Vol. 2 (July 1978) by artist Philippe Caza, with minimal changes beyond arm position and color.

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